Sewing machine construction



Dec. 22, 1953 P. F. cENcER ETAL I SEWING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. ll, 1950 i QTVQQ f mm.

Dec. 22, 1953 P. F. cENcER ETAL SEWING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 00T.. ll, 1950 w QQ ww ww MNN Dec. 22, 1953 P. F. cENcl-:R ETAL 2,663,273

SEWING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. ll, 1950 4 SheeHShegt 5 Dec. 22, 1953 P. F. cENcER ETAL 2,663,273

SEWING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 1l, 1950 4 Sheets-'Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 22, 1953 SEWNG MACHINE CONSTRUCTION n Peter F. Cencer and Fred Whiteman, Detroit,

Mich., assignors to Leonore Gidion, special admnistratrix of the estate deceased of Frank M. Gidion,

Application October 11, 1950, Serial No. 189,654

6 Claims.

"This invention relates to a sewing machine construction, and more particularly to a sewing machine having a novel frame structure of simpleconstructicnv for mounting thereon a numberV ofthe operating parts of the machine.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a sewing machine having a new and improved frame structure for mounting a number of the operating parts.

"Another object of the invention is the provision of a sewing machine having a novel frame structure for mounting certain operating parts of the machine effectively on the exterior surfaces ofthe frame structure, which frame structure is adapted to support a removable housing, whereby when the housing is removed from theV` frame structure, the' operating parts are readily accessible.

Another object is the provision oi a 'frame structure for a sewing machine having such a novel construction that a large number of the operating parts of the machine can be mounted on a single vframe member.

` Another object of the invention is the provision of a sewing machine frame structure which may be made of stampings; or can be die cast, and having such conformations and interrelation between its elements as to result in a simple though strong mounting means for ce1'- tain operating parts of the machine.

A further object is the provision of a sewing machine frame structure which includes a platelike 'element having certain operating instru mentalities mounted on opposite sides thereof, whereby the instrumentalities cooperate in a novel manner made possible by the novel construction of the frame structure.

Another object is the provision of a sewing machine frame structure made of a plurality of plate-like elements connected together in such a way that they lie in relatively transverse planes, whereby a simple and strong structure results.r

Ay still further object is the provision of a sewing machine frame structure adapted to be enclosed in a removable housing, including a plate-like element arranged with respect to housing so as to divide a portion of the interior of the housing into two chambers, and having certain operating instrumentalities mounted on opposite sides of the plate-like element and in respective chambers, whereby the operating parts r are made readily accessible upon removal of the housing from the frame structure.

A further object is the provision of a sewing machine frame structure of simple construction possessing great resistance to vibration.

Other objects of theV invention will appear upon reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

including a housing enclosing the frame struc-- ture and certain operating parts;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the sewing machine with the front' portion of 'the housing removed;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the sewing machine with the rear part of the housing re` moved; Fig. 4 is a'plan view of the sewing machine with the housing removed;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a'view taken from the left end of Fig. 2 with the portion of the housing in the foreground removed andthe portion of the vhousing in the background shown in section.

While the present invention is directed toa sewing machinev having av novel frame structure, the drawings illustrate a complete sewing machine for the vpurpose of bringing out fully the characteroi the frame structure and its association with certain vvoperating parts.

Certain features of the sewing machine disclosed but not claimed in the present application are disclosed and claimedin the copending application of the' present inventors; Serial No. 184,027, led September 9, 1950; The sewing machine includes a base 4 in the form of an inverted pan having a top surface.

' or table top 6 and Ya surrounding skirt portion 8;l Foot elements I Il are also'provided for engaging the supporting surface on which the sewing machine is placed.

V'The frame structure constituting' the principal feature of the presentr invention comprises two main portionswhich are indicated generally at I2 and I4. These portions conveniently are formed by two parts secured together to form an effectively integral, unitary structure. A description of the operating parts' is combined with the description of the framevstructure in order to bring out more fully the' nature ofthe invention. Y

The kframe portion I2 preferably takes'r the form of a stamping composed of a heavygauge, sheet metal, 'plate-like element shaped and formed to have the desired conformations for supporting certain operating parts of the sewing machine. The frame portion I2 includes a transversely. disposed, verticalelement I6 pro` vided with a perimeter flange I8 extending at substantially a right angle to the plane of the element I6 and extending around three sides thereof, namely, along the top and downwardly along both vertical edges. The frame portion i2 also includes a foot disposed at aright angle to the element IE and bearing directly on the top surface of the base, to Which it is secured by any convenient means such as screws. rThe frame portion I2 also includes an upright flange 22 disposed substantially vertically and spaced from the vertical element IB. Strengthening ribs 24 are formed in the foot 20 extending from the vertical element I6 to the upright flange 22.v

The frame portion I2 is disposed as a whole adjacent one end of the base, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 4, with the upright flange 22 closely adjacent that end and so positioned that the vertical element I6 is spaced from the flange 22 in a direction longitudinally of the base. It wllbe' noted that the foot 201 is 'of wide area extent for the purpose of rigidly mounting the frame4 portion I2, and consequently the complete frame structure, on the base and thereby minimizing vibration. To the end of minimizing vibration and providing the necessary strength for supporting the frame member I4, the vertical element I6 is of considerable transverse width. electric motor 28 is mounted on the verticalelement I6 of the frame portion i2 by convenient means such as bolts 28. The drive shaft 30fo`f the motor extends through an aligned aperture the vertical element I8, and has a driving pinion 8 2 mounted thereon for rotation therewith.A VThe pinion 32 meshes with a gear 34 secured on a countershaft 38 mounted in bearings inthe vertical element I8 and upright flange 22, respectively, the bearings being mounted in apertures therein by any convenient mounting means. The countershaft 3B extends to the right beyond the base of the machine and secured to its outer end is a handwheel 38 provided for the usual purpose. On the inner end of the shaft 38 adjacent the gear 34 is another gear 40 of lesser diameter than the gear 34 which meshes with another gear 42 mounted on a looper shaft 44. The'gears42 and 34 extend through a slot 46 (Fig. 5), in the surface E of the base. The looper shaft 44 is mounted for rotation in bearings 4and 48 both' of which may be formed integral with the base, the former being adjacentithe gear 42 andthe latter being adjacent a verticaly plate lillfextending downwardly from the underside of the base. Also mounted on the plate 5,8 is a material feeding means 5,482 for feeding the fabric or other material being sewed through the machine; The details of the material feeding means need not be described in connection with the present invention but a detailed description thereof is found in the Cencer and Whiteman application referred to above.

`Mounted on the left end of the looper shaft 44 (Eig. 2) is a cam member 54A in the shape of a cylindrical elementv mounted eccentrically on the shaft 44. outwardly of the cam member 54 is a :looper lili which cooperates with the sewing needle in formingv stitches in the fabric. being sewed.

Mounted on the mountingplate 5,0.. are a pair offfeed plates 58 lillA fitted together with their-flatfaces abutting and each provided at one end with a slot 812g. A screw 64, extends through the slot B2. and is mounted in the mounting plate 5I) for affording swinging movement and horizontal movement. of the plates 58. vand 60.

The plate 58 is provided with a notch S6 and the plate 88 has a horizontally elongated slot 68 both of which receive the cam member 54, the slots being in registration for that purpose. A feed dog '18 is secured to the plate 60, having teeth l2 adapted to be projected up through slots in a throat plate 74 secured over an opening in the top surface of the base.

Pivotally connected with the free end of the plate 58 is a link 'I8 secured to a lever 'i8 pivoted at 88 in the mounting plate 58. The lever 18 has an arcuate slot y8?. for receiving one end of a transverse stud mounted on a link 8B pivotally connected with the free end of plate 60. Upon horizontal reciprocation of the plate 58 by the action of the cam 54 in the slot 86, the lever 18 isswung, which inturn acting through link 86 reciprocates the plate 88 in a horizontal direction. The cam 54 acting in the slot 88 reciprocates the plate 88 vertically and the combined horizontal and vertical reciprocation of the plate causes the feed dog lil to extend up through the slots in the plate i4 and move horizontally toward feeding the fabric or other material through the machine.

A U-shaped link or yoke 88 has legs straddling the three elements, namely, mounting plate 50 and plates 58 and iil, with one leg pivoted on the mounting plate 58 and the other leg provided with al slot 88 receiving one end of aY transverse pin 92 xed to the link 86. Upon vertical swinging of the yoke 88 the pin 92 is moved closer to or farther from the pivot point 80 of the lever 'I8 for varying the extent of horizontal movement` of plate 80 and consequently of the feed dog 10.

|The means for swinging the yoke A88 includes horizontal arms 94 on'the yoke (Fig. v2) which receive one arm 96 of a bell crank lever, the other arm 88y being pivotally connected to a rod |08, thev opposite end of which isv provided with a screw and adjusting knob I02,V the screw being slidable in a slot in the base and the knob being adapted for turning down and clamping with respect to the base for securing the rod |00 in adjusted position.

The frame portion I4, similarly to the portion i 2, preferably is made up of a single piece in the form of a, stamping, being formed from a at plate-like element. The frame portion I4 includes a vertically disposed plate-like portion |84 having a reinforcing flange 86 along its lower horizontal edge and a reinforcing flange 88, along its upper horizontal edge. One end of the platelike4 .portion Itri is provided with an outturned, flange H8 abutted against the vertical element i8 of the frame portion I2 and secured thereto,V preferably by spot welding. Similarly theA lower flange. m5 is provided with ay downturned terminal flange Il2 abuttedl against the verticalv element I6 and also rigidly and permanently securedf thereto as by means` of spot welding. vLikewiseV the upper flange, |88l has anA extension' II'4 secured to the perimeter flange IS and in this case4 also the securernent preferably made by means: of welding. It will be seen that an effectively rigid and secure connection is made be-` tween the; frame portions I4, andk i2j for the purpose of providing a strong frame structure and minimizing vibration.

The frame portion If is positioned at thek upper end of the vertical element i6, and accordingly is elevated in spaced relation with respect to the base, extending horizontally longitudinally ofthe base to a position adjacent the opposite end. The, extended end of the frame portion I4 accepta and particularly the portion I 04 thereof has a vertically extending ange |I6 (Figs. 3 and 4).

A rock bar I8 which preferably takes the form of a stamping made up from an originally flat strip or strap and shaped to have laterally extending arms and |22, is mounted on the frame element I4. The rock bar is disposed with its main portion on one side of the frame portion I4 with the arm |20 extending through an aperture |24 formed by stamping a lug |26 therefrom whichV extends transversely of the frame member. The arm |20 is pivotally mounted at a point intermediate its ends in the lug |28l as by means of a rivet and the extended end of the arm |20 is connected with a pitman |28, the lower end of which is eccentrically pivoted on the gear 40. The arm |22 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends in the transverse ange IIS with the extended end of the arm on the side of the frame portion I 4 opposite the main portion of a separate piece of heavy gauge material secured to a horizontally bent extension of the frame portion I4, the two elements together having great strength. The sleeve |36 depends vertically from a plate element |48 secured to a horizontal ange |42 as by welding, the ange |42 being an integral extension of the frame portion .1...

I4. A sewing needle |44 having the usual eye is mounted in the lower end of the needle bar by means of a screw |45. A stud |48 is iixedly secured to the needle bar |32. A pitman |50' has its lower end pivotally connected with the stud |43 and its upper end pivotally connected with the arm |22 at the point on the latter spaced in wardly from the swinging end of the arm and from the aperture |30. The rock bar I I8 is adapt.. ed to berocked upon operation of the motor |25 acting through pinion 32, gear 34, gear 4S and pitman |28; rocking of the rock bar swings the extended end of the arm |22 which in turn reciprocates the needle bar and needle.

The extended end (i. e., left end) of the frame portion |4 also supports a vertically reciprocable presser foot |52 which is supported on the lower end of a presser foot bar |54, which is vertically reciprocable in bearing sleeves |56 and |58. The sleeve |56 is secured to the plate element |38 and the sleeve |58 is secured to the upper plate element |40. Secured to the presser foot bar |54 is a collar |60 positioned above the plate element |38. A-compression spring |62 surrounds the presser foot bar between the collar |58 and the bearing sleeve |58, urging the presser foot downwardly. AA camming lever |54 is pivotally mounted on a pin extending from the collar |60, having camming surfaces which upon upward swinging of the lever |64 engage the plate element |38 in such manner as to raise the presser foot bar and presser foot. The camming lever |04 also has a surface for retaining the lever in over-center position for holding the presser foot in elevated position. It will be understood that the presser foot is raised for the purpose of inserting material to be sewed under the presser foot, and then let down for the purpose of holding and guiding the material being sewed.

As observed in Fig. 6, the plate elements |58 and |40 have substantial transverse dimensions sewing needle.

- a gripping force on the thread by the disks.

forl the purpose of mounting die-needie bai |32 and presser foot bar |54. The portions ofthe frame portion I4 supporting the-plate elements |30 and |40 lalso have the desired transverse dimensions for rigidly mounting the plate elements 38 and |40. f

The element |04 of the frame portion |4 is provided with an aperture |66 for receiving a thread spool |88.- The spool |68is placed on a spindle |10- pivotally mounted on a lug |12, stamped out from the vertical element |04, for horizontal swinging of the spindle. The spindlemaybe swung away from the frame member for the purpose of' placing the spool thereon, after which itis swung back for carrying the spool into the aperture in such position that portions' of the spool extend outwardly from opposite sides oi' the Irame member. rlhe swinging end ofthe spindle |10 engages the marginal edge of the aperture whereby the spool is properly positioned in the aperture.Y i Y Y The thread |12v from the spool is threaded through a series of guide hngers |14 which are in the iorm of wires each having one endse-v cured to the irame member and a loop formed 'in the extended end. Yrihe thread is threaded through the loops in feeding the thread to the A pull-off ringer |16 is disposed between certain'o' the guide nngers |14 and is oi simiiar construction to the guide nngers. The puli-oir'riinger |18 is secured to the -rockbar H8 and extends through an aperture H8 in the frame member i4 and aiso has a loop in its extended end through which the thread is threaded. Upon rocking or' the rock bai, the pull-off ringer im is swung verticaiiy ior the purpose or paying out thread Irom the spool. the pun-011' linger extends through the Irame member and terminates on the opposite side tnei-eoi adjacent the extended ends oi: the guide fingers.

rosterior to the guide fingers |14 with respect to Ieedmg the thread toward the sewing needle is a tensioning means |88 which includes a threadedsnank |82 iFig. 4) on the outer end of v which is a head or knob |84. Surrounding the shank |82 is a compression spring |86, one end oi' which bears on the trame member and the other end bears on the adjacent one of a pair of disksA |88 looseiyfmounted on the shank |82. rlhe disks |88 are urged against the knob |84 by the action of the spring, the disks having convex peripheral portions racing each other for permitting easy insertion of the thread between the disks, the compression spring |86 then causes The shank |82 is adjustable in the frame member for the purpose o adjusting the compression on the spring |88 and thereby radjusting the gripping action on the thread. It will be noted that the tensioning means is disposed on the same side of the frame member as the guide ngeis Posterior to the tensioning means |80 is a thread nipper |90 which includes a sleeve |92 threaded in an aperture in the frame member I4 for adjustment therein. The extended end of the sleeve |92 is provided with a nut-like element |94 and slidable in the sleeve is a shank i having a knob |58 on its end. A compresision spring 200 surrounds the shank |96 inthe sleeve, one end of the spring engaging a washer 202 fixed to the shank and the other end enlt will be noted that side of the frame portion' I4 as thel tensioning means |80. While the end of the shank.. [96 pro-v jects through. the frame. portion i4 and is engageable by a bumper 204., preferably of rubberlike material, secured to the rook bar IIB. The compression spring 200 urges the knob |98 toward the nut element [9.4. for nipping or gripping the thread therebetween and upon downward rocking Qi the rock barllB the bumper 204 engases the shank 196 and carries the head.v or lmetv ld out of. gripping relation with respect to the thread` The. thread is then threaded through the aperf ture. 130 in the. arm 122 and then through anl aperture- 206. the plate element 138 and iinally through. the. eye of the needle.

Reference is made to the above, mentioned inaccessible.. All of the. operating Parts are disnosed on. the frame structure such. thatvv they are. electively on the exterior thereof..

In View of.; the foregoing detailed description and by way of summarn the. following advantages, of; the invention are here pointed out: (or). the. frame. is. simple and easy to make; (b)

the frame. is. rigid, whereby `vibration iS effe.-

tively eliminated; (c) mounting of al substantial number 0f operating parts on the, frame is made. simple and conyenient; (d). the operating Darts are maintained in. predetermined relation withQul. adl'llstmnt, Ol'. change in interrelation; and (e) all of the operating parts mounted on the. trarne. are.` made fully accessible (after` rernoyaliof;4 one or moreV sections. of they housing).

'I-Ihe following; specific arrangementsy are. to be noted` in; connection with the. simplicity of the frame structure; and theI mounting of the operating parts thereon: the rockbar is disposed bodilyy` on one side of the. framet member. with its.; arms, extended;` through to the. opposite. side where.` they actuate, various` instrumentalities. 'llhe puit-oli finger H6 has one end mounted in thearookbar and. its swinging end extendsthrough the frame,A member to. the oppositei sidev thereof where.. it is, adjacent the guide-fingers ITA. The ten,sippingmeans. ltll and the nipper |190 are efiectiyely mounted on one. side, of theA frame merrrber andinl the. case of the. nipper a portion entends throughito the oppositesidewhere.. it is engaged byy the rock bar.

The: fram@ structure is of simpleconstruction, being stamped from flat stockv and shaped in such; a manneras toY impar-t` unusual.. strength and rigidity thereto. Vibration due to the movement of"L the, operating parts iseffectiy-elyl elimihated..

Elfen-theA pur-pose ofI protectingA the operator. and ygiroducilfig4 as linishedl appearance, tothe sewing machine a housing-indicated generally at 208, is proyiderlL forA enclosing theframestructure and substantially all of the operatingl parts. thereon. The housingA 2da includes a section ililY` on one side of the framestructure andtwosections. 212 and 214 onthe Opposite Side. Thethreesections together. totally enclose the frame, structure and the parts mounted thereon. with the. exception of the handwheel 38 and the lower ends of the needle and needle bar, and presser foot and presser foot bar. The section 2&0 is secured at one end to the base as by means of screws and at the opposite end to the extended end of the horizontal frame member lll'. The section 242 is alsoV secured to the base asby means of screws, while the section 2id is supported` by the other two sections. The means for supporting thel section 2id includes a strip Zit overlying thel par-ting line between theA sections on oppositesides of 'the machine and secured to thev section 21.0. The section 2id is fittedunder the strip Zit and is, provided with a spring clip which enters into the aperture 2li? in the frame member It'. The section 2 ill is readily removablemerel'y by 'g1-asping it and pulling outwardly on it so that" th'e operator can easily gain access to that portion of the frame structure andthe parts carried thereby;v the other. two sections` caribe; removedA after removing. the securing. screws.

The structure. of the frame structure. togetherv with the. novel mounting of the. operat'irigipart's' thereon, produces an arrangement wherebythe operating partsare readily entirely enclosed by the housing while they are. madereadily accessible to the operator after removing. onel of thel sections, or all of the sections, ofthe housing.

So far as we are awarey it. is entirely new. to mount all of the operating parts such` asthose'-l as-ove the base of thel machine on theexterio'rf of a frame structure nsucha manner-that they,A are readily accessible, andwhereby'they` can be readily enclosed by an enclosing housing which'- surroundsthe entire frame structure and" the operating parts thereon anddoes-not form a part of the frame structure itself; A further advantage is thus to be noted:l none of the ope'r' ating parts are attached to orcarried by the housing; the housing is removablerwithout dis:- turbing any of the operating parts.

While we have herein shown and describedz a certain preferred embodiment of tlieinvention,

it will-be understoodtnat changes may'be'made* therein within thescope of theappendedcla'im's.

We claim:

i l. In a sewing machine, a base; a'frame includ#- ing a portion having ahorizontal footseeuredto" the base, a transversely disposedg.verticalplateL like fiange securedrto andextendi`ngupw`a'rdly from said foot portion and-positioned closely" ddiacent vone end ofthe base, andatransversely" disposed, vertical plate-like portion-` secured! t'o' and extending upwardlyfrom said footlportion and positioned adjacent'to but" spaced'froml' said end of the base, the frame alsoincluding ahoriaontally extendingA plateelik'e vportion securedto" and extending from saldvertical portion ifi-ele# vated'spaced relation withv respect to the base and extending longitudinally of the base, said horizontal frame portion being .positioned with its ilat sides Vdisposed vertically', a plurality. of operating.

adjacent one end of the base, and a transversely disposed vertical portion secured to and extending upwardly from said :foot and spaced from said flange longitudinally of the base, said vertical portion having a perimeter reinforcing flange disposed transversely of its plane, and a horizontal plate-like portion having a transverse member secured to said vertical portion, said horizontal frame portion being in elevated spaced relation with respect to the base and extending longitudinally thereof, said horizontal frame portion having its iiat sides disposed vertically and having a transverse reinforcing flange along one horizontally extending edge.

3. In a sewing machine having a base, a frame including an upright portion mounted on the base adjacent one end thereof, a horizontal portion secured to said upright portion in elevated spaced relation with respect to the base and extending longitudinally thereof, said horizontal frame portion being plate-like in form with its flat sides disposed vertically, said horizontal frame portion having an aperture therethrough, and a spindle mounted on said horizontal frame portion movable into and out of position in which a spool placed on the spindle is disposed in the aperture with a portion of the spool extending outwardly frorn each side of the frame.

4. In a sewing machine having a base, a frame mounted on the base including a vertical, transverse plate-like portion secured to the base and a horizontal portion secured to the upper end of the vertical portion and extending longitudinally of the base and having its extended end unsupported, said horizontal portion being of plate-like form and having its vfiat sides disposed vertically, the extended end of said horizontal frame portion having apair of vertically spaced, horizontally extending plates, a sewing needle bar reciprocably mounted in said plates, a rock bar rockably mounted on said horizontal frame portion having operative connection with said needle bar, and drivingmeans mounted on the frame having operative connection with said rock bar.

5. In a sewing machine having a base, a frame mounted on the base including a vertical, transverse plate-like portion secured to the base and a horizontal portion secured to the upper end of the vertical portion and extending longitudinally of the base and having its extended end unsupported, said horizontal portion being of plate-like form and having its flat sides disposed vertically, the extended end of said horizontal frame portion having a pair of vertically spaced, horizontally extending plates, a presser foot bar reciprocably mounted in said plates, a cam lever pivotally mounted on said presser foot bar, said cam lever having camming surfaces engageable with one of said plates whereby upon swinging of said rlever said camming surfaces engage the plate for raising the presser foot bar, a sewing needle bar reciprocably mounted in said plates, a rock bar rockably mounted on said horizontal frame portion having operative connection with said needle b-ar, and driving means mounted on the frame having operative connection with said rock bar.

6. A frame for a sewing machine having a base, said frame comprising, a first portion composed of a at plate-like element shaped to have a foot for securing to the base, a vertical portion secured to and extending upwardly from said foot and having a reinforcing perimeter ange disposed transverse -to its plane, and an upright ilange secured to and extending upwardly from said foot and spaced from and parallel to said vertical portion, said frame also including a second portion composed of a horizontal portion mounted on the upper end of said vertical portion, said horizontal frame portion being in the form of a at plate-like element having its at sides disposed vertically and shaped to have a reinforcing ange along its top edge and along its bottom edge, said plate-like element of the horizontal portion and one of the reinforcing flanges thereon having transverse flanges abutting against and secured to said vertical frame portion.

PETER F. CENCER.

FRED WHITEMAN.

References oued in the fue of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,978,231 Pfaff oct. 23, 1934 2,048,555 Lindstrom July 21, 1936 2,313,442 way et a1 May 4, 1943 2,516,482 Hohmann Oct. 17, 1950 

